Head coach Gary Kubiak confirmed the worst about inside linebacker Brian Cushing Tuesday afternoon: He’s lost for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in the second quarter of the Texans 23-17 victory over the Jets Monday night.

An MRI Tuesday morning revealed the damage. He’ll have surgery in a couple of weeks, after the swelling has gone down.

It’s the second time in three seasons the Texans have lost their defensive captain. Middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans suffered a torn Achilles tendon following a 4-2 start in 2010, after which the Texans lost eight of their next nine games to finish 6-10.

Kubiak said seen-year veteran Tim Dobbins, the special teams captain, is “option No. 1” to step in for Cushing, the team’s leading tackler so far and the spiritual leader of the NFL’s third-ranked defense. Dobbins replaced Cushing against the Jets and will apparently start against Green Bay at Reliant Stadium Sunday night.

Mister Alexander is the other backup inside and the Texans may also regain the services of Daryl Sharpton, currently on the PUP list because a severe knee injury suffered last season, by the end of the month.

Kubiak said he hadn’t spoken with Cushing since he had the MRI but had a long conversation with him after the game on the bus ride to the airport.

“He knew,” the coach said. “Players know. He wasn’t feeling very good about it.”

The injury happened in front of numerous friends and family members at MetLife Stadium, only 15 minutes from where he grew up. MetLife Stadiums. Jets left guard Matt Slauson blindsided Cushing with a cut block. The legality of the hit is being questioned, but Kubiak said he’d been too busy since the team landed at 4:20 a.m. to review the play in any detail. He said he’ll leave it to the NFL to decide whether Slauson should be punished.

With the Texans will be trying to extend their best-ever start against the Packers, Kubiak expressed confidence the team can overcome the loss of its defensive fulcrum. They got to within a game of the AFC Championship last season without quarterback Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson missed nine games. But Kubiak said he felt horribly for Cushing personally.

“He’s an emotional leader with the way he works, the way he practices,” Kubiak said. “Cush loves ball. The guys felt at halftime like they’d lost one of their buddies. It gave us some extra incentive (in the second half).”

Kubiak had no information on who would do the operation, or where it would take place.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans defensive back Brice McCain (21) sacks New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) with just over two minutes left in the fourth quarter of a Monday Night Football game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Monday, Oct. 8, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Texans won the game 23-17. less

Houston Texans defensive back Brice McCain (21) sacks New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) with just over two minutes left in the fourth quarter of a Monday Night Football game against the New York Jets ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Texans defensive backs Troy Nolan (33) and Kareem Jackson (25) celebrate Jackson's interception of a pass by New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez late in the game.

Texans defensive backs Troy Nolan (33) and Kareem Jackson (25) celebrate Jackson's interception of a pass by New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez late in the game.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Texans tight end Owen Daniels (81) scores on a 34-yard pass play past New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie (31) during the first quarter.

Texans tight end Owen Daniels (81) scores on a 34-yard pass play past New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie (31) during the first quarter.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Texans tight end Owen Daniels (81) is tripped up by New York Jets strong safety Yeremiah Bell (37) during the second half.

Texans tight end Owen Daniels (81) is tripped up by New York Jets strong safety Yeremiah Bell (37) during the second half.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Texans fans whoop it up in the parking lot while tailgating before the Texans game against the New York Jets on Monday Night Football.

Texans fans whoop it up in the parking lot while tailgating before the Texans game against the New York Jets on Monday Night Football.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Texans defensive back Brice McCain (21) intercepts a pass during the second quarter. McCain returned the interception 86 yards to set up a field goal at the end of the half.

Texans defensive back Brice McCain (21) intercepts a pass during the second quarter. McCain returned the interception 86 yards to set up a field goal at the end of the half.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) gets off a pass as he is pressured by New York Jets tight end Konrad Reuland (87) and defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (96) during the second quarter.

Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) gets off a pass as he is pressured by New York Jets tight end Konrad Reuland (87) and defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (96) during the second quarter.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Texans linebacker Brian Cushing heads to the locker room after being injured during the second quarter.

Texans linebacker Brian Cushing heads to the locker room after being injured during the second quarter.